India wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson has spoken about the emotional decision to leave Rajasthan Royals after more than ten years with the license, admitting that it was one of the most difficult decisions in his career. However, the opportunity to cooperate Chennai Super Kingswhere they shared a strong relationship MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwadhe assured her that it was the right step. After being the manager of Rajasthan Royals for five seasons, Samson joined CSK through a trade ahead of IPL 2026. Reflecting on the journey, he said that there came a time when he felt that both the franchise and the franchise were ready to move in different directions. “Leaving RR was a very big decision for me. I believe that after playing for a team for some time, you start to feel like it is your team and no one can take you away. But, I always knew that there is a short time for everyone in one place,” Samson told JioStar’s ‘Superstars’. “You do your part, and you leave and after the end of IPL 2025, the point came when I felt I had to move on. I told myself that the boys are ready, and RR is ready to play without Sanju Samson. That’s when I decided to leave,” he added. While several teams were interested, Samson said CSK was chosen because of the environment, the franchise and Dhoni’s influence. “There were two or three options at that time. But honestly, CSK, the power of Mahi bhai, the franchise itself, and my friends there, especially Ruturaj, meant that I had a strong connection. Based on what I heard about CSK from other players, I felt that this franchise was my type. “If I go there, it will be very good for me. I was wishing for that, but the trade is an illusion. I want to go there, but do they want me? And the first team must get what they want in return. Everyone must accept it. It was a big change. Fortunately, I ended up at CSK. It was a great feeling,” he said. Samson also looked back at how he admired Dhoni as a child, revealing that the former India skipper inspired him to dream of representing the country one day. “The way he carried himself and his aggressiveness attracted me. He used to appear in advertisements, and I would cut out his picture and put it in my book. Every child has an idol, and Mahi bhai was mine. “As a child, I used to watch India play every day. Mahi bhai would be the captain and win the match. I would go to bed thinking, ‘I have to play one day too.’ I dreamed of fighting with him, making alliances, playing together with him. “ Now a CSK player, Samson said he still hopes to fulfill that dream by partnering Dhoni, who has missed the entire IPL 2026 season due to a calf injury. The 31-year-old also recalled how his IPL career began in 2013 with Rajasthan Royals. Frustrated after the opening game on the bench, he went to the manager Rahul Dravidwho encouraged him to be patient. “He calmly explained to me that I have to be patient and my time will come. I was upset and disappointed when I heard that, so I took all my anger out on the web. I would go to the net and hit a six, thinking, ‘I’ll show them. His chance came only when wicketkeeper Dishant Yagnik was injured. “There was no plan to play me, but Dishant bhai got injured in one game. So he played me against Punjab (then KXIP), which I played for the first time in IPL in 2013, and I won the game for that team. “It was my first match. I scored 27 not out at number six. I also got three-four dismissals and kept wickets. But in the next match, Dishant bhai was fit again, and he dropped me.”